System and method to search a media content database based on voice input data

ABSTRACT

A computer implemented method includes initiating a call from an interactive voice response (IVR) system to a first device associated with a user in response to a user request. The computer implemented method includes receiving voice input data at the IVR system via the call. The computer implemented method also includes performing a search of a media content database based at least partially on the voice input data. The computer implemented method further includes sending search results identifying media content items based on the search of the media content database to a second device associated with the user.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to searching a media contentdatabase based on voice input data.

BACKGROUND

Media content service providers may enable subscribers to view scheduledmedia content programs via an Electronic Program Guide (EPG). Mediacontent service providers may provide subscribers with the ability tosearch the EPG. For example, a service provider may enable a subscriberto specify search criteria by selecting individual alphanumericcharacters of a keyboard displayed at a display device. However,entering search criteria by selecting individual alphanumeric charactersof a keyboard displayed at a display device may be slow, cumbersome, andprone to entry errors, particularly for longer search criteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a systemto search a media content database based on voice input data;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment of a systemto search a media content database based on voice input data;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third particular embodiment of a systemto search a media content database based on voice input data;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method tosearch a media content database based on voice input data;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment of a methodto search a media content database based on voice input data; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a generalcomputer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An interactive voice response (IVR) system initiates a call to a firstdevice associated with a user in response to a user request. Voice inputdata is received at the IVR system via the call. A search of a mediacontent database is performed based at least partially on the voiceinput data. Search results identifying media content items based on thesearch of the media content database are sent to a second deviceassociated with the user.

In a particular embodiment, a computer implemented method includesinitiating a call from an interactive voice response (IVR) system to afirst device associated with a user in response to a user request. Thecomputer implemented method includes receiving voice input data at theIVR system via the call. The computer implemented method also includesperforming a search of a media content database based at least partiallyon the voice input data. The computer implemented method furtherincludes sending search results identifying media content items based onthe search of the media content database to a second device associatedwith the user.

In another particular embodiment, a system includes an interactive voiceresponse (IVR) system. The IVR system includes a processor to processvoice input data received from a user via a call from a first deviceassociated with the user and to determine search terms for a search of amedia content database based on the voice input data. The systemincludes a search engine to perform the search of the media contentdatabase based at least partially on the search terms. The system alsoincludes an output interface to send information to a second deviceassociated with the user identifying at least one media content itemidentified via the search.

In another particular embodiment, an interactive voice response (IVR)system includes a processor and a computer-readable storage mediumincluding operational instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to receive a request from a user via a voicetelephony call to initiate a search of a media content database. Theoperational instructions, when further executed by the processor, causethe processor to initiate the search of the media content database inresponse to receiving the request. The operational instructions, whenfurther executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify aset-top box device associated with the user. The operationalinstructions, when further executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to send search results identifying media content items basedon the search of the media content database to the set-top box deviceassociated with the user.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a first particular embodiment ofa system to search a media content database based on voice input data isdepicted and generally designated 100. The system 100 includes a firstdevice 102 and a set-top box device 104 coupled to an interactive voiceresponse (IVR) system 106 via a network 108. A media content database110 is coupled to the IVR system 106. A second device 112 (e.g. adisplay device) is coupled to the set-top box device 104.

The first device 102 may be a voice telephony device (e.g. a landlinetelephone device or a mobile telephone device), a computing device, orany combination thereof. The first device 102 may be used to initiate orterminate a voice telephony call via the network 108 or via anothercommunications network.

The set-top box device 104 may receive media content from a mediacontent server via the network 108. The set-top box device 104 may sendthe media content for display to the second device 112. A user 190 mayinteract with the set-top box device 104 using a remote control device114.

The media content database 110 may include information associated withscheduled media content, on-demand media content, another type of mediacontent, or any combination thereof. The media content database 110 maybe searchable using different search criteria 148 to identify particularmedia content that meet the search criteria 148. For example, the searchcriteria 148 may include a genre (e.g., action, drama, adventure,comedy, science fiction, etc.), an actor/actress, a director, an award(e.g., Academy Award), a release date, a title, a channel, a timeinterval (e.g., released between 1985 and 1987), or any combinationthereof.

The IVR system 106 may receive voice input data 146 from the user 190.The voice input data 146 may be received via a call between the IVRsystem 106 and the first device 102. The IVR system 106 may extractdata, such as the voice input data 146, from the call using naturallanguage speech recognition, voice-to-text conversion, another speechrecognition system, or any combination thereof. The IVR system 106 mayinitiate a search 150 of the media content database 110 based on thevoice input data 146. The IVR system 106 may send search results 152 tothe set-top box device 104 for display at the second device 112.

In operation, the user 190 may send a user request 140 from the set-topbox device 104 to the IVR system 106. For example, the user 190 may usethe remote control 114 to interact with the set-top box device 104 tosend the user request 140. The user 190 may also send informationidentifying a call back device 142 to the IVR system 106. Theinformation identifying the call back device 142 may include an address144 of the call back device 142. For example, the address 144 may be atelephone number associated with the first device 102. The informationidentifying the call back device 142 may be received by a selection froma list of devices 122 displayed at the second device 112. The list ofdevices 122 may include devices associated with the user 190. Forexample, the list of devices 122 may include a mobile phone deviceassociated with the user 190 and the first device 102 associated withthe user 190. In response to receiving the user request 140, the IVRsystem 106 may initiate a call to the call back device specified by theaddress 144. For example, when the address 144 specifies an addressassociated with the first device 102, the IVR system 106 may initiate acall to the first device 102.

The IVR system 106 may receive the voice input data 146 via the call tothe first device 102. In a particular embodiment, the IVR system 106 mayprompt the user 190 to enter the search criteria 148 based on a userprofile 107. For example, when the user profile 107 indicates that theuser 190 prefers to view media content items having a particular genreXYZ, the IVR system 106 may prompt the user 190 by asking, “Do you wishto view additional media content from the XYZ genre?” and therebyreceive additional search criteria 148. For example, the voice inputdata 146 may specify “Find media content having an action genre starringactor ABC.” The IVR system 106 may perform the search 150 of the mediacontent database 110 based at least partially on the voice input data146, the search criteria 148, the user profile 107, or any combinationthereof. The IVR system 106 may send the search results 152 based on thesearch 150 of the media content database 110 to the second device 112associated with the user 190. For example, the search results 152 mayidentify video on demand (VOD) 154 media content items and scheduled 156media content items. The search results 152 may be received by thesecond device 112 and displayed as bookmarks 118 in an electronicprogram guide 116.

After sending the search results 152, the IVR system 106 may receiveadditional voice input data 158 (e.g. via the call) where the additionalvoice input data 158 specifies additional search criteria 159. Forexample, when the search criteria 148 are very broad and result in thesearch results 152 including a large number of media content items, theIVR system 106 may prompt the user 190 to input the additional voiceinput data 158. For example, the IVR system 106 may play a message “Thesearch has found more than twenty items. Do you wish to provideadditional search criteria to refine the search?” The IVR system 106 mayperform a second search 160 based on the additional voice input data158. The IVR system 106 may send second search results 162 to the seconddevice 112 based on the second search 160.

In a particular embodiment, a user selected channel 120 may be displayedat the second device 112 while the search 150 or the second search 160is being performed by the IVR system 106. For example, the user 190 mayselect and view the user selected channel 120 until the search results152 or the second search results 162 are received at the set-top boxdevice 104 for display at the second device 112, or until the user 190selects to view the search results 162 in the electronic program guide116.

Thus, the user 190 does not have to spend time scrolling through a listof programs displayed by the electronic program guide 116 at the seconddevice 112 to identify media content items of interest to the user 190.The user 190 does not have to use an alphanumeric keyboard displayed atthe second device 112 to input the search criteria 148 to identify mediacontent items of interest to the user 190. Instead, the user 190 maysend the user request 140 to the IVR system 106 and may send theinformation identifying the call back device 142 to the IVR system 106.The IVR system 106 may initiate a call to the device specified in theinformation identifying the call back device 142. The user 190 may entervoice input data 146 to initiate the search 150 of the media contentdatabase 110 and receive the search results 152 as bookmarks 118 in theelectronic program guide 116.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a second particular embodimentof a system to search a media content database based on voice input datais depicted and generally designated 200. In the system 200, a firstdevice 202 and a second device 204 are coupled to an interactive voiceresponse (IVR) system 206 via a network 208. A media content database210 is coupled to the IVR system 206. A media display device 212 iscoupled to the second device 204.

The devices 202-204 may be voice telephony devices, computing devices,set-top box devices, other computing devices, or any combinationthereof. For example, when the first device 102 is a voice telephonydevice, the first device 102 may be used to initiate or terminate avoice telephony call via the network 208 or via another network (e.g. amobile communications network). When the second device 204 is a set-topbox device, the second device 204 may receive media content from a mediacontent server via the network 108. The second device 204 may send themedia content for display to the media display device 212. The devices202-204 may be associated with a user 290.

The media content database 210 may include information associated withscheduled media content, on-demand media content, another type of mediacontent, or any combination thereof. The media content database 210 maybe searchable using different search criteria to identify particularmedia content that meet the search criteria. For example, the searchcriteria may include a genre (e.g., action, drama, adventure, comedy,science fiction, etc.), an actor/actress, a director, an award (e.g.,Academy Award), a release date, a title, a channel, a time interval(e.g., released between 1985 and 1987), or any combination thereof.

The IVR system 206 may receive voice input data 246 from the user 290.The voice input data 246 may be received via a call 245 from the firstdevice 202 to the IVR system 206. The IVR system 206 may initiate asearch 250 of the media content database 210 based on the voice inputdata 246. The IVR system 106 may send search results 252 to the seconddevice 204 for display at the media display device 212. The IVR system206 includes a processor 270, a memory 271, a chat interface 272, and anInput/Output (I/O) interface 273. The memory 271 includes a searchengine 274, historical voice input data 275, and a recommendation engine276. A third device 292 associated with a second user 291 may be coupledto the chat interface 272.

In operation, the user 290 may use the first device 202 to initiate thecall 245 to the IVR system 206. The processor 270 of the IVR system 206may process the voice input data 246 received via the call 245 anddetermine search terms 251. The processor 270 may instruct the searchengine 274 to perform the search 250 of the media content database 210based at least partially on the search terms 251. The I/O interface 273may send the search results 252 to the second device 204 associated withthe user 290. The search results 252 may identify at least one mediacontent item 254 identified via the search 250.

In a particular embodiment, the recommendation engine 276 may access thehistorical voice input data 275 associated with the user. Therecommendation engine 276 may identify recommended media content 211based on the historical voice input data 275. The voice input data 246may include a request that the recommendation engine 276 access thehistorical voice input data 275 to identify the recommended mediacontent 211 via the search 250. For example, the voice input data 246may specify “Please recommend media content items based on the last fivemovies I have watched.”

The chat interface 272 may enable the user 290 to chat with at least thesecond user 291. For example, when the user 290 initiates the call 245to the IVR system 206, the IVR system 206 may invite the user 290 tojoin in a chat session based on the historical voice input data 275. Forexample, the historical voice input data 275 may indicate that the user290 has searched for media content items starring actor XYZ. The chatinterface 272 may determine that the second user 291 is interested inchatting about media content items starring actor XYZ and invite thefirst user 290 to chat with the second user 291.

When the IVR system 206 identifies only one recommended media contentitem 211 via the search 250, the IVR system 206 may send a displaycommand 256 from the I/O interface 273 to the media display device 212.The display command 256 may instruct the media display device 212 todisplay the one media content item 254. To illustrate, when a recommendmedia content item 211 is identified via the search 250, instead ofdisplaying the media content item 211 as a bookmark of an electronicprogram guide at the media display device 212, the content of the mediacontent item 254 is displayed at the media display device 212.

The user 290 does not have to scroll through a large electronic programguide to identify media content item of interest to the user 290. Theuser 290 does not have to use an alphanumeric keyboard displayed at themedia display device 212 to input search criteria to identify mediacontent items of interest to the user 190. Instead, the user 290 caninitiate a call to the IVR system 206 and perform a search of the mediacontent database 210 to identify recommended media content items 211.The user 290 can also chat with other users, such as the second user291.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a system to search a mediacontent database based on voice input data is depicted and generallydesignated 300. The system 300 includes a voice telephony device 302 anda set-top box 304 coupled to an interactive voice response (IVR) system306 via a network 308. A media content database 310 is coupled to theIVR system 306. A media recording device 305 and a media display device312 are coupled to the set-top box device 304.

The voice telephony device 302 may be used to initiate or receive voicetelephony calls via the network 308 or via another communicationsnetwork. For example, the voice telephony device 302 may be used toinitiate or receive a call to the IVR system 306.

The set-top box device 304 may receive media content from a mediacontent server via the network 308. The set-top box device 304 may sendthe media content for display to the media display device 312. Theset-top box device 304 may instruct the media recording device 305 torecord the media content. In a particular embodiment, the mediarecording device 305 may be integrated with the set-top box device 304.

The media content database 310 may include information associated withscheduled media content, on-demand media content, another type of mediacontent, or any combination thereof. The media content database 310 maybe searchable using different search criteria to identify particularmedia content that meet the search criteria. For example, the searchcriteria may include a genre (e.g., action, drama, adventure, comedy,science fiction, etc.), an actor/actress, a director, an award (e.g.,Academy Award), a release date, a title, a channel, a time interval(e.g., released between 1985 and 1987), or any combination thereof.

The IVR system 306 may receive voice input data 346 from the user 390.The voice input data 346 may be received via a voice call 345 betweenthe IVR system 306 and the voice telephony device 302. In a particularembodiment, the user 390 may initiate the voice call 345 to theinteractive voice into the IVR system 306. In another particularembodiment, the user 390 may send a request asking the IVR system 306 toinitiate the voice call 345 to the voice telephony device 302 associatedwith the user 390. The IVR system 306 may initiate a search 350 of themedia content database 310 based on the voice input data 346. The IVRsystem 306 may send search results 352 to the set-top box device 304 fordisplay at the media display device 312. The IVR system 306 includes aprocessor 370 and a memory 371. The memory 371 includes a user profile307 and operational instruction 377. The operational instructions 377may be executable by the processor 370 to perform the various functionsof the IVR system 306.

In operation, the IVR system 306 may receive the voice input data 346via the voice call 345. In a particular embodiment, search criteria 347may be received via the voice call 345. In another particularembodiment, the search criteria 347 may be determined based on the userprofile 307. The search criteria 347 may include at least one of agenre, an actor, a director, an award, a release date, a title, achannel, and a time interval. The IVR system 306 may perform the search350 based on the search criteria 347. The IVR system 306 may send thesearch results 352 to a device associated with the user 390 (e.g. theset-top box device 304, the media recording device 305, or the mediadisplay device 312).

The IVR system 306 may identify the set-top box device 304 as a deviceassociated with the user 390. For example, the IVR system 306 mayidentify an address associated with the voice telephony device 302 andmatch the address to a user account associated with the set-top boxdevice 304. In another example, the IVR system 306 may access the userprofile 307 to identify the set-top box device 304. The IVR system 306may send the search results 352 including media content items 311 to theset-top box device 304. Based on the voice input data 346, the IVRsystem 306 may send the record command 357 to the media recording device305 to initiate or schedule recording of a particular media content item357 identified by the search 350.

The IVR system 306 may enable the user 390 to communicate with one ormore users in a theme-based chat room 380. For example, the user 390 maycommunicate with a second user 381, a third user 382, and a fourth user383 at the theme-based chat room 380. The theme-based chat room 380 maybe based on a particular theme such as a genre, an actor, a director, anaward, or other theme related to media content. The IVR system 306 mayprovide multiple theme-based chat rooms and keep track of thediscussions occurring in each theme-based chat room. For example, theIVR system 306 may store a record of the discussion at each theme-basedchat room 380 that includes information such as which movies, shows,sporting events, and other media content items are considered “hot” or“cool” to watch based on the amount of discussion associated with aparticular media content item. To illustrate, the IVR system 306 mayidentify a media content item that is most frequently mentioned in thetheme-based chat room 380 as a “hot” item. When the user 390 is added tothe chat room 380, the IVR system 306 may provide an option to thecaller to provide a quick recap of media content items associated withthe hottest chats in a particular time period (e.g., last half-hour,morning, afternoon, evening, today, current week). When the user 390wants to view a particular media content item on the hot-chat listprovided by the IVR system 306, the user 390 can ask the IVR system 306to (1) send a channel-change request to the set-top box device 304 (e.g.when a show is being broadcast) to display the particular media contentitem, (2) place the media content item in a bookmark of an electronicprogram guide, (3) instruct the media recording device 305 to record theparticular media content item for later viewing, or any combinationthereof. When the user 390 initiates the voice call 345 to the IVRsystem 306, the IVR system 306 may ask the user 390 whether the user 390desires to hear a chat room summary identifying at least one activetheme-based chat room. For example, active theme-based chat rooms mayinclude all theme-based chat rooms having more than a predeterminedthreshold of active users. After the user 390 joins a theme-based chatroom, such as the theme-based chat room 380, the IVR system 306 mayprovide the user 390 with information identifying the media contentitems 311 associated with the discussions occurring at the theme-basedchat room 380. For example, when the user 390 joins the theme-based chatroom 380 having a “College Football” theme, the IVR system 306 maydetermine that the discussions at the theme-based chat room 380 areabout a game between a first university and a second university. The IVRsystem 306 may ask the user 390 whether the user 390 desires the IVRsystem 306 to identify media content items associated with the currentdiscussion at the theme-based chat room 380. In response to voice inputdata 346, the IVR system 306 may perform a search 350 and include thefirst university and the second university in search criteria 347 forthe search 350. The IVR system 306 may send search results 352identifying the media content items 311 related to the search 350.

When one of the media content items 311 is capable of being displayed,the media content item 354 may display the media content item 354 at themedia display device 312. For example, when the media content items 311include a game currently being played between the first university andthe second university (e.g., media content item 354), the media contentitem 354 may be displayed at the media display device 312. When themedia content items 311 are scheduled to occur in the future, the searchresults 352 may be displayed as bookmarks in an electronic programguide, as described in FIG. 1. When the voice input data 346 identifiesat least one of the media content items 311 (e.g., the media contentitem 357) for recording at the media recording device 305, the IVRsystem 306 may send the record command 356 to the media recording device305 to record at least the media content item 357 at the media recordingdevice 305. Thus, when the user 390 joins the theme-based chat room 380,the IVR system 306 may identify the media content items 311 associatedwith discussions occurring at the theme-based chat room 380 and send themedia content items 311 to the set-top box device 304. The voice inputdata 346 may cause at least one of the media content items 311, such asthe media content item 354, to be displayed at the media display device312. The voice input data 346 may cause at least one of the mediacontent items 311, such as the media content item 357, to be recorded atthe media recording device 305.

Thus, the user 390 does not have to spend time scrolling through a listof programs displayed by an electronic program guide at the mediadisplay device 312 to identify media content items of interest to theuser 390. The user 390 does not have to use an alphanumeric keyboarddisplayed at the media display device 312 to input search criteria toidentify media content items of interest to the user 390. Instead, theuser 390 may provide voice input data 346 and search criteria 347 viathe voice call 345 between the IVR system 306 and the voice telephonydevice 302. The IVR system 306 may perform the search 350 of the mediacontent database 310 and send the search results 352 to the set-top boxdevice 304 for display at the media display device 312.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method tosearch a media content database based on voice input data. The methodmay be performed by an interactive voice response (IVR) system, such asthe IVR system 106 of FIG. 1, the IVR system 206 of FIG. 2, or the IVRsystem 306 of FIG. 3.

A request is received from a user to initiate a call to the user, at402. Moving to 404, information may be received from the useridentifying a first device associated with the user. Advancing to 406, acall is initiated from an IVR system to the first device. Proceeding to408, voice input data is received at the IVR system via the call. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the user 190 may use the remote control device 114to send the user request 140 to the IVR system 106. The IVR system 106may initiate a call to the first device 102 and receive the voice inputdata 146.

Continuing to 410, the user may be prompted to provide search criteriabased on a user profile associated with the user. Moving to 412, asearch of a media content database is performed based at least partiallyon the voice input data. Advancing to 414, search results identifyingmedia content items based on the search of the media content databaseare sent to a second device associated with the user. For example, inFIG. 1, the IVR system 106 may perform the search 150 of the mediacontent database 110 and send the search results 152 to the set-top boxdevice 104. The set-top box device 104 may display the search results152 as the bookmarks 118 in the electronic program guide 116 display atthe second device 112.

Proceeding to 416, additional voice input data may be received via thecall. The additional voice input data may specify additional searchcriteria. Advancing to 418, a second search may be performed based onthe additional voice input data. Proceeding to 420, second searchresults may be sent to the second device based on the second search. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the additional voice input data 158 may be receivedby the IVR system 106. The IVR system 106 may perform the second search160 based on the additional voice input data 158 and send the secondsearch results 162 to the set-top box device 104. The method ends at422.

Thus, a user can search for media content by inputting voice input datavia a voice call initiated by an IVR system to a voice telephony deviceassociated with the user. The search results may be sent to a set-topbox device for display at a media display device as bookmarks in anelectronic program guide.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment of a methodto search a media content database based on voice input data. The methodmay be performed by an interactive voice response (IVR) system such asthe IVR system 106 of FIG. 1, the IVR system 206 of FIG. 2, or the IVRsystem 306 of FIG. 3.

Voice input data to initiate a search of a media content database isreceived from a user via a voice telephony call, at 502. At 504, searchcriteria may be identified based on a user profile associated with theuser. At 506, a user may be prompted to provide search criteria via thevoice telephony call. For example, in FIG. 3, the search criteria 347may be identified via the voice call 345 or by accessing the userprofile 307.

Moving to 508, a search of a media content database is initiated basedon the search criteria. Advancing to 510, a set-top box deviceassociated with the user is identified. For example, in FIG. 3, theset-top box device 304 may be automatically identified based on thevoice input data 346, based on an address of the voice telephony device302, based on the user profile 307, or any combination thereof.Proceeding to 512, search results identifying media content items basedon the search of the media content database are sent to the set-top boxassociated with the user. For example, in FIG. 3, the IVR system 306 mayperform the search 350 and send search results 352 to the set-top boxdevice 304. Advancing to 514, a command may be sent to a media recordingdevice to record a particular media content item based on the voiceinput data. Continuing to 516, the user may be enabled to communicatewith one or more users at a theme-based chat room. The method ends at518.

Thus, a user can search for media content by inputting voice input datavia a voice call between an IVR system and a voice telephony deviceassociated with the user. The search results may be automaticallyscheduled for recording at a media recording device or sent to a set-topbox device for display at a media display device as bookmarks in anelectronic program guide. The user may also chat with other users at atheme-based chat room.

Referring to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 600. The computer system 600 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 600 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 600, or any portionthereof, may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g.,using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. Thecomputer system 600 may include or be included within any one or more ofthe first device 102 of FIG. 1, the second device 104 of FIG. 1, the IVRsystem 106 of FIG. 1, the first device of 202 of FIG. 2, the seconddevice 204 of FIG. 2, the media display device 204, the IVR system 206of FIG. 2, the voice telephony device 302 of FIG. 3, the set-top boxdevice 304 of FIG. 3, the media recording device 305 of FIG. 3, themedia display device 312 of FIG. 3, the IVR system of FIG. 3, or anycombination thereof.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 600 may operate in thecapacity of a telephony device, a set-top box device, a media recordingdevice, a display device, an interactive voice response system, acomputing device, or any combination thereof, as described above withreference to FIGS. 1-3. The computer system 600 can also be implementedas or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer(PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device,a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, acommunications device, a wireless telephone, a personal trusted device,a web appliance, or any other machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system 600 canbe implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single computer system 600 isillustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the computer system 600 may include aprocessor 602, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system600 can include a main memory 604 and a static memory 606 that cancommunicate with each other via a bus 608. As shown, the computer system600 may further include a video display unit 610, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, a solid-state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, the computer system 600 may include an input device 612,such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 614, such as a mouse.The computer system 600 can also include a disk drive unit 616, a signalgeneration device 618, such as a speaker or remote control, and anetwork interface device 620.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 6, the disk drive unit616 may include a computer-readable medium 622 in which one or more setsof instructions 624, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 624 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 624 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 604,the static memory 606, and/or within the processor 602 during executionby the computer system 600. The main memory 604 and the processor 602also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable storage mediumthat includes instructions 624 to enable a device connected to a network626 to communicate voice, video or data over the network 626. Further,the instructions 624 may be transmitted or received over the network 626via the network interface device 620.

While the computer-readable storage medium is shown to be a singlemedium, the term “computer-readable storage medium” includes a singlemedium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall alsoinclude any tangible storage medium that is capable of storing, encodingor carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or thatcause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods oroperations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical, such as adisk or tapes or other storage device. Accordingly, the disclosure isconsidered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium andother equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions maybe stored.

In accordance with various embodiments, the methods described herein maybe implemented as one or more software programs running on a computerprocessor. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limitedto, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Furthermore, alternative softwareimplementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

It should also be noted that software that implements the disclosedmethods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage medium, such as:a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk; or a solid state medium, such as a memory cardor other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to suchstandards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and otherpacket switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP,VoIP, IPTV, MPEG, SMPTE, ATM, IEEE 802.11, and H.264) represent examplesof the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded byfaster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the samefunctions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having thesame or similar functions as those disclosed herein are consideredequivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be groupedtogether or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowedby law, the scope of the disclosure is to be determined by the broadestpermissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

1. A method comprising: receiving, from a remote control device via amedia device, a request that media content criteria be obtained from acall-back device via an interactive voice response system, the requestincluding identification information associated with the call-backdevice; initiating a call to the call-back device via the interactivevoice response system in response to the request; receiving voice inputdata via the interactive voice response system, the voice input datareceived from the call-back device during the initiated call, whereinthe voice input data includes the media content criteria; sending aquery to a media content database to identify one or more media contentitems based at least partially on the media content criteria of thevoice input data; and sending information associated with the one ormore media content items to the media device.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the call is initiated using an address included in theidentification information.
 3. The implemented method of claim 1,wherein the call-back device is a landline telephone device or a mobiletelephone device.
 4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, whereinthe call-back device is a computing device.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the media device determines the identification information basedon a selection of a particular device identifier associated with thecall-back device from a list of device identifiers, the selectionreceived from the remote control device.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein each of the list of device identifiers is associated with amobile device, a computing device, a landline telephone device, or amobile telephone device.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprisingsending one or more voice prompts to the call-back device via theinteractive voice response system, wherein the one or more voice promptsare based in part on a user profile associated with a user of thecall-back device, the one or more voice prompts requesting a user of thecall-back device to provide the voice input data.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising: after sending the information associated with theone or more media content items, receiving additional voice input datavia the interactive voice response system, the additional voice inputdata received from the call-back device during the call, wherein theadditional voice input data includes additional media content criteria;sending a second query to the media content database to identify one ormore second media content items based at least partially on theadditional media content criteria of the additional voice input data;and sending additional information associated with the one or moresecond media content items to the media device.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the one or more media content items include video-on-demandcontent items and scheduled media content items.
 10. The comp method ofclaim 1, wherein the media device is a set-top box device.
 11. A systemcomprising: a processor; and a memory accessible to the processor, thememory including operational instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:receiving, from a remote control device via a computing device, arequest that media content criteria be obtained from a call-back devicevia an interactive voice response system, the request includingidentification information associated with the call-back device;initiating a call to the call-back device via the interactive voiceresponse system in response to the request; receiving voice input datavia the interactive voice response system, the voice input data receivedfrom the call-back device during the initiated call, wherein the voiceinput data includes the media content criteria; sending a query to amedia content database to identify one or more media content items basedat least partially on the media content criteria of the voice inputdata; and sending information associated with the one or more mediacontent items to the computing device.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the information associated with the one or more media contentitems is inserted as one or more bookmarks within an electronic programguide.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:determining one or more recommended media content items based onhistorical voice input data received from the call-back device during aprior call; and sending additional information associated with the oneor more recommended media content items to the computing device.
 14. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises establishing aninteractive session between the call-back device and a remote device toenable a user associated with the call-back device to communicate, viathe interactive session, with a second user associated with the remotedevice during the call.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the methodfurther comprises sending a recording request to the computing device torecord a particular media content item of the one or more media contentitems.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprisingoperational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform a method comprising: receiving, from a remotecontrol device via a set-top box device a request that media contentcriteria be obtained from a call-back device via an interactive voiceresponse system, the request including identification informationassociated with the call-back device; initiating a call to the call-backdevice via the interactive voice response system in response to therequest; receiving voice input data via the interactive voice responsesystem, the voice input data received from the call-back device duringthe initiated call, wherein the voice input data includes the mediacontent criteria; sending a query to a media content database toidentify one or more media content items based at least partially on themedia content criteria of the voice input data; and sending informationassociated with the one or more media content items to the set-top boxdevice.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim16, wherein the media content criteria of the voice input data includesone or more categories associated with video media content, the one ormore categories including a genre, an actor, a director, an award, arelease date, a title, a channel, a time interval, or a combinationthereof.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 16, wherein the query is based at least partially on a userprofile associated with a user of the call-back device.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein themethod further comprises: receiving additional information associatedwith one or more additional media content items identified in historyinformation associated with at least one theme-based chat room session;and sending the additional information associated with the one or moreadditional media content items to the set-top box device.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein themethod further comprises sending a channel-change request to the set-topbox device to change to a channel that provides a particular mediacontent item of the one or more media content items.